HC Deb 29 October 1952 vol 505 c1909
14. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement as to the present state of our political and economic relations with Persia.

Mr. Eden

As the House is aware. Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government jointly made proposals to the Persian Government which, in their view, offered a fair and reasonable way of resolving the oil dispute which has bedevilled Anglo-Persian relations for the past 18 months. The Persian Government rejected those proposals and afterwards, on 22nd October, broke off diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom. Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires and the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy at Tehran are being withdrawn. The Persian Embassy staff are leaving London.

This action was entirely of the Persian Government's choosing, and they must therefore bear full responsibility for it.

Captain Duncan

Which country is taking over British interests in Persia?

Mr. Eden

Switzerland.